Mahmoud Al-Habbash, Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor on Religious and Islamic Affairs and Supreme Shari’ah Judge: "One of the representatives of the superpowers - who some people consider to be the most expert and knowledgeable people, the greatest supporters of justice, and the greatest democrats - one of them [US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman] spoke several days ago about the occupation, which is clear even to the biggest idiot, and all the more so to a wise man. Regarding the Israeli occupation of the land of Palestine - he [Friedman] said that it is an ‘alleged occupation,’ in other words: ‘You claim there is an occupation? It isn't really an occupation.’ What idiocy is this? What satanic urge motivates these people? These are people who have lost all morals, who watch the oppressed and support the oppressors and stand by their side."

In an interview with the Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post on Sept. 1, 2017, US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman was asked what had taken him most by surprise since being appointed ambassador.
His response: “'I think the American Jewish community tends to look at Israel somewhat myopically,' he said. The Right, he said, is portrayed as believing that peace is not possible. The Left, he explained, is portrayed as believing that only if the 'alleged occupation' ended would Israel become a better society. 'Israel’s much more nuanced than that,' he said."